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FREDERIO G. FORD, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPRGVEMENT IN INVALID EEDSTEADS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 115,948, dated June 13, 18*]1.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERIG G. F0121), 0f the city and county of Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Invalid Bedsteads; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing through letters of reference marked thereon forming part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 represents a top view of a bedstead constructed according to my improvement.- Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same.

The same letters indicate like parts in both figures.

The object of my invention is to construct a bedstead in such manner that the bedding may be removed, turned, or exchanged for fresh without disturbing the patient,-which is particularly desirable in case of broken limbs, and also in fevers, as, in the latter case, at every exchange of the mattress a certain amount of fever is carried off.

Another advantage of my invention is that it admits of the introduction of vessels containing hot or cold water, as may be desired, beneath the head, feet, or body of the person, or for the circulation of hot or cold air, by which means many diseases maybe much more speedily subdued. It also provides for the easy changing of the position of the patient from horizontal to a greateiscr lesser incline.

Referring to the drawing, A represents the post, 13 the side and end rails, and O the headboard, of an ordinary bedstead, Within which is fitted a frame consisting of four corner-posts, D, connected at bottom by horizontal: rails E and at top by rails G, to which latter is connected a series of webbing straps, c, interlaced and running lengthwise and crosswise, and detachably connected at their ends with said rails G, one end one and one side one of which are made to rotate, and are provided with ratchets and pawls a for the purpose of tightening the webbing. Between these upper and lower railsis a slatted bed-bottom, H, supported on springs 11, and capable of rising and falling between the four corner-posts D. The space between the slatted bottom H and the webbin g c is sufficient to admit a thick mat- In hot weather the mattress may be dispensed with and a blast of cold air be caused to circulate beneath the web bottom, which may be, at such times, further sustained by the insertion of perforated spring-boards J in place of the mattress 5 or, in case it is desirable to increase the heat of any portion of the person, hot-water cans K, enveloped in a suitable covering, may be substituted. A perforated rubber cloth or leather may be substituted for hospital purposes where it is desirable to economize cost. This frame may be provided with casters and usedindependently 0f the bedstead. V

The webbing c is furthermore stretched upon and attached to an independent frame, L, within the rails G, so that, by detaching the ends of said webbing from the rails on both sides and at foot, that end may be lowered to an incline, which may be still further increased by releasing their upper ends and hooking them to the head-board at e, as represented in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

This construction may be applied to sofas, cabin-bunks on vessels, and railroad-cars, and all similar purposes.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-- 1. In combination with the webbing or other suitable material forming the couch, constructed as described, a yieldingbottom, H, arranged beneath the former, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In combination with the stationary frame or rails Gr, an inner frame, L, to which the webbing or canvas is rigidly attached, the two frames G and L being connected in a detach able manner, so that the head may be elevated or the foot lowered, substantially as set forth.

FREDERIO G. FORD.

Witnesses SYDNEY E. SMITH, W. Monnrs Snrrn.

JOHN C. FOSTER.

lmprovemerit in Machines for Cutting Round Belts.

NO. 115,949; I Y Patented J une13,187l.

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